The Manitoba Securities Commission, RCMP, the Manitoba Consumers’ Bureau, a non-profit social agency called Age and Opportunity, and the Consumers Association of Canada have teamed up to produce a DVD that aims to warn against fraud.

The new 35 minute interactive DVD is designed to help reduce the number of future fraud victims. It includes testimony from RCMP officers, investigators and social workers, re-enacted scenarios and victim statements that aim to drive home the negative consequences of falling victim to a scam.

A facilitator’s guide, which comes with the DVD, contains descriptions of the scams, discussion questions and articles and participant handouts.

Free copies of the DVD are available from the MSC, the RCMP, Age and Opportunity, and the Consumers Bureau.

“The impact of fraud can be devastating,” says Gloria Desorcy of the Consumers Association of Canada Manitoba Branch. “Victims of fraud suffer a range of serious physical and mental ailments ranging from diminished trust, destroyed relationships, increased stress and depression,” she adds.

In addition to the loss of hard earned money, the RCMP estimates it can take an average of 275 hours to reverse the negative impact of identify theft. Desorcy says one goal of the DVD is to help viewers recognize fraud, identify the “Red Flags” of fraud, learn how to protect themselves against becoming involved and what to do if they have been approached to participate in or become involved in a scam or fraud.

“The information contained in this DVD is extremely valuable in helping Manitobans to protect themselves. It is also a very important tool in encouraging the public to report frauds and scams. Knowing the proper reporting channels can help regulators shut down a scam quickly before others become unwittingly involved,” says Don Murray, chairman of the Manitoba Securities Commission.